Christchurch and Invercargill lead the country in the confiscation of cars under street racing laws.

In Christchurch 17 cars vehicles have been seized, while seven have been taken by authorities in Invercargill under the Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Act and the Sentencing (Vehicle Confiscation) Amendment Act according to Justice Ministry figures.

The legislation was introduced in 2009 and an order to confiscate a vehicle is at the discretion of the judge.

Courts throughout the country have ordered the confiscation of a vehicle in relation to street racing offences on 95 occasions.

Three vehicles across the country have been crushed under the legislation - in Palmerston North, Porirua and Tauranga.

When a person is convicted of one or more street racing offences the court can order the vehicle be confiscated or sold.

Proceeds of the sale are used to cover the costs of the sale, pay any amount owed pursuant to a security interest, and pay any fines and/or reparation costs. Any surplus is paid to the offender.

When a person has been convicted of a third street racing offence within four years the court can order the confiscation or destruction of a vehicle involved in the offending.

There have been 5002 convictions for street racing offences entered since 2009, including 206 people twice and 10 people three times.